As soon as you wake up the morning of a race you have a flood of emotional and physical waves going through your mind and body. For the most part, you are excited and anxious to get the race started. All your training has led to this day. You've put in the miles, tempos, speed sessions and know exactly how you are going to race. But what about right before the race, the last few moments on the starting line where your mind wanders? How do you prepare for that?

When you go for a run each day you just put on your shoes and head out the door. For speed sessions you may put more thought to the task ahead, but not much. Again, you get to the track, put on your shoes or spikes, and hit the workout. You don't put much thought to what you're about to do. When race day comes around it's a different stroy. You start to focus on every detail from how you have prepared to the little ache on your big toe. Your mind goes from looking for reasons why you should run fast to finding excuses just in case you run slow.

So next time you find yourself on the starting line of a race and your mind starts to wander follow these five steps to remain positive and focused.

1. Find your place on the starting line and block out all that is going on around you.

2. Remind yourself what you have accomplished in training and how you are prepared for this race.

3. Tell yourself that you are ready to give 100% today.

4. Close your eyes for a moment, take in a deep breath, and feel yourself running well as you slowly exhale.

5. Open you eyes, listen for the start, and let your mind and body do what it has been trained to do.